Three things I know of usually start with good intentions: holidays, religion and music. Read more...

In a previous column, I wrote that in order to make excellent risotto, you have to stand over it, stirring continuously for 45 minutes. I also wrote that you have to add at least a stick of butter. Read more...

In an age when publications are moving to digital devices such as Amazon's Kindle and the e-Reader from Sony, and bookstores are suffering pangs of a waning economy, a festival that celebrates books may seem old- fashioned. Despite these changing times, the Los Angeles Times programmers behind this weekend's Festival of Books remain optimistic. Read more...

Michael D'Antonio is a Red Sox fan and a baseball enthusiast. That much becomes clear when talking to him. He has an innate appreciation for the history of the game and the way it has shaped the American landscape. Read more...

The world of comics is no longer just about flights and tights. Read more...

In the interest of expanding the conversation about languages and literacy, the festival will feature the Hoy Cultural Neighborhood, an area catering to bilingual English and Spanish speakers. Read more...

Rachel Kushner's approach to writing is simple: Write what interests you and appreciate art that intrigues you. As a novelist, a co-editor of the literary journal Soft Targets and a fine-arts enthusiast who contributes to Artforum International Magazine, Kushner has established not only a writing and arts career but also a place in the writing community. Read more...